Popular MSNBC Host Melissa Harris-Perry Storms Out

Things started to come to a head on Friday when she refused to anchor a show called The Place for Politics. It should be noted that this show has pre-empted her show for the past couple of weeks in her time slot. She felt like the request to anchor was a half-hearted attempt to minimize the awkwardness of her absence on air over the past few weeks.

Today, her private email discussing her displeasure with the recent state of affairs with the network was leaked to the public.

Needless to say, Harris-Perry had decided to part ways with network.

In a memo that she released earlier, she asserts that “Our show was taken — without comment or discussion or notice — in the midst of an election season.” Further underscoring the level of disrespect that she felt from network management, she goes to say “no one…has even returned an email, called me, or initiated or responded to any communication of any kind from me for nearly a month.”

Also in her memo, Harris-Perry emphasizes that “After four years of building an audience, developing a brand, and developing trust with our viewers, we were effectively and utterly silenced.”

When asked for comment, the MSNBC spokesperson said, “In this exciting and unpredictable presidential primary season, many of our daytime programs have been temporarily upended by breaking political coverage, including MHP.

For months, Harris-Perry had felt like the network was slowly but surely marginalizing her editorial perspective.

“I am not hungry for empty airtime,” she said in the memo. “I care only about substantive, meaningful, and autonomous work. When we can do that, I will return — not a moment earlier.”

In a tweet Sunday morning, Harris-Perry wrote “Farewell #Nerdland. Inviting diverse new voices to table was a privilege. Grateful for years of support & criticism.” Nerdland is her nickname for the army of fans of her (now-defunct) show.

About The Author

Nicole Keels-McGruder is the founder of Woman True. Living in several parts of the US and with her love of travel, she has an appreciation for the rich diversity that the world has to offer. She enjoys volunteering in the areas of homeownership and economic empowerment for several non-profits. She loves spending time with her family and being forever the social entrepreneur. Follow Nicole on Twitter @nicmgruder.

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